The young Polish midfielder became the club’s first signing of the January transfer window when he signed on for £2.4m from Legia Warsaw.

Many had tipped the 17-year-old to go straight into the squad when he joined, though he is yet to get on the pitch, and now Wenger has confirmed that he may have to be a little more patient before running out at a weekend.

“Krystian Bielik is building up his fitness,” said Wenger.

“The first signs we have seen are very positive.

“He’s a very strong player, he’s 17, he has a very good technical level and looks intelligent. But we’ll have to give him a little time to settle and adapt.

“I like to take players of that age mid-season because it gives them a cushion of four or five months to settle, adapt and then be ready for the following season.”